Burton Progress to Semi Final

Burton under 17’s v Burntwood 9th January 2011
Burton 27 : Burntwood 10

Burton under 17’s were away to Burntwood in their first match for a month due to recent harsh weather conditions. The start of the match was delayed due to a frozen pitch.

Burton kicked off and Armitage at flanker put in a strong tackle on the collecting Burntwood player, although the home side came out stronger in the resultant ruck. Their deep kick was well fielded by Jordan-Taylor at full-back and Burton won a subsequent scrum against the head. Forward Sam Halton made a break and sprinted the length of the pitch, only stopped by a good tap tackle. Again the Burton forwards broke with Ashley Allum in the centre of the field, shipping the ball to Tom Hunt on the right-wing who chipped and ran, only for the ball to run dead.

The Burntwood player collecting the 22 drop-out was well wrapped up by forwards Hawketts and Weedon. Burton won two scrums in quick succession, the ball coming to Chris Brown at inside-centre on each occasion, on the second he was stopped only just short of the line. A Burntwood line-out was well won by Burton, a pattern that was to follow throughout the match, Armitage at the front being particularly effective. Burntwood kicked deep, again well collected by Jordan-Taylor who made good ground with an attacking run. The following scrum was won by Burton, picked up at the back by Will Turner, who passed to Sam Day at scrum-half who was able to go over for the first try after 15 minutes.

Burntwood were able to score a penalty, but soon thereafter Burton won another line-out, the ball spun through the backs to the left-hand side. Joe Bird on the left-wing accelerated away to score a try which was well converted by Ashley Allum.

Burntwood replied with a drive though the centre, disrupted by good tackles from Champney and then Hunt. Again Burton won the scrum against the head. In a well worked move Tom Hunt collected the pass and was able to spin out of a tackle and go over for the try without need for support. Half-time came with Burton leading 17:3.

In the second-half the visitors began strongly but a series of penalties were awarded against them. As territory was lost Burntwood played themselves into a try scoring position which they exploited, closing the gap to 17:10.

Burton replied by patiently working themselves up the pitch with good forward work. The ball was released to Charles Popp at centre, who almost went through. Again, a repeat of the move might have produced a try but Burntwood were able to clear and apply pressure themselves. Under some pressure, the Burton fly-half hacked a long kick forward, chased down by Armitage and then Popp who was able to go over for the try. In one of the final moves of the match, replacement scrum-half Tom Bunting went over for a fifth try and the match finished with Burton recording a well deserved victory at 27:10

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